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Dr. Valerie L. Bryan, Associate Professor of Social Work and Director, BSW Program
publishes new book about Ethics.

Dr. Valerie L. Bryan, Associate Professor of Social Work and Director, BSW Program

THE HELPING PROFESSIONAL’S GUIDE TO ETHICS: A New Perspective

Valerie Bryan, University of South Alabama Scott Sanders, Cornerstone University Laura Kaplan, Walden University

This book develops a comprehensive framework for ethics in the helping professions
based on bioethicist Bernard Gert's theory of common morality. The prevailing model
of ethics education is built upon adherence to codes of ethics applied largely through
the use of decision-making trees. While a firm understanding of a professions code
of ethics and all relevant laws is essential to responsible practice, this approach
to teaching ethics excludes the opportunity for students to acquire a holistic, and
grounded understanding of moral action. The framework proposed in this text moves
beyond codes of ethics, and allows students to develop a cohesive sense of ethical
reasoning that both validates their moral intuition and challenges moral assumptions.
The theory of a common morality uses a systematic, step-by-step approach that readers
and practitioners can apply to all questions of moral action and behavior. While there
is no such thing as a single right answer to any ethical question, by following this
approach practitioners can confidently eliminate the bad decisions, allowing them
to feel more secure in their decision and practice.

Features

Provides a thorough introduction to the prevailing theories of morality and ethics
in a way that is accessible to students at all levels of education

Discusses the application of a common morality framework to cases involving: confidentiality,
competency, paternalism, informed consent, and dual relationships

Case examples allow readers to walk through the decision-making process step-by-step,
while also examining their own assumptions and biases

Contents

Part I: An Overview1. The Basics of Moral Theory, Professional Codes of Ethics, and Professional Ideals2. Moral Development and Ethical Decision-Making in Social Work Practice3. Common Morality and Ethical Decision-Making

Part II: The Application of Common Morality Framework to Helping Professions4. Confidentiality and the Duty to Warn and Protect5. Competency6. Paternalism7. Informed Consent: Important Moral Considerations8. Dual Relationships9. Conclusion

About the Author(s)/Editor(s)

Valerie Bryan (MSW, PhD, University of Kentucky) is associate professor and BSW program
director at the University of South Alabama. While teaching across the generalist
practice curriculum, her scholarly areas of interest include applied ethics, juvenile
justice, child welfare, and health disparities.

Scott Sanders (PhD, University of Kentucky; MSW, Grand Valley State University) is
program director and professor of social work at Cornerstone University. Over the
past ten years, he has been actively engaged in communicating a practical application
of ethical decision-making to a broad audience of helping professionals that include:
school social workers; substance abuse counselors; child and family service workers;
and social work educators.

Laura Kaplan (MSW, PhD, University of Kentucky) is a retired Associate Professor and
currently teaches MSW courses at Walden University. She is a licensed clinical social
worker who has developed and taught ethics courses for undergraduate and graduate
students for fifteen years. She has developed and delivered ethics continuing education
classes and conference sessions for helping professionals for the last twenty years.
Her areas of focus and publications are practice ethics, inequalities, and oppression.